DIY: Vertical Herb Garden

As promised, here is the step by step of how I made my own vertical herb garden.

I started with supplies I picked up at Lowes (plants being the only exception). I used: 1 wood planter box, 1 pre cut board (24x48), 3 pieces of precut 2x1 trim (2 48in long and 1 24in long), nails, glue, 1 brick, screw in hooks, 9 small terra cotta pots, soil and plants.

Trim out the big board using glue and small nails (since I bought precut, I didn't have to use the saw but if you are using scraps, you'll have to cut to size first). Place the brick into the planter and sit the big board on top. Screw the big board into the strongest part of the planter.

Spraypaint in whatever shade floats your boat. In this case I went with a blue base and a gray top coat to tone the blue down a bit. Measure out where you want your pots to hang on the board and mark. Add your screw hooks.

Now that your planter is ready, its time to drill a hole in those terra cotta pots. They are delicate so I added some tape for stability and then drilled a pilot hole followed by a larger hole in each using masonry bits. I'm not sure if all this was strictly necessary but it did the job.

Plant to your hearts desire. (I planted english peas, brussel sprouts and lettuce in the base along with my favorite herbs in the pots.) Hang the pots on the hooks.

Finally, I added the names of the herbs using a paint pen on the board. Voila. A vertical garden!

I liked it so much I made two. Now I just need more pots and plants!

The backyard still needs a little more TLC but its coming together just in time for the warm weather.

I love it. OoO I will have to try and make one of these for myself in the future. I love herbs enough as it is, but to have cute little pots of them suspended on a paintable board...fabulous. =O And then to write their names above them all cafe-style! It just can't get any better. Thanks for sharing this!

Very nice! I pinned it so I can use this tutorial for my yard. I might do chalkboard paint on the back so as I change the plants I can change the names behind them. But it might wash off in the rain, so...

Wow, Stefanie, these are gorgeous! I love the color you chose and how you wrote the names of the plants on the board. I might have to make some of these for my (suburban Denver, CO) backyard. I think I have just the spot, too. Thanks!

This is beautiful and extremely clever. I've had a problem with herbs that are in an open space getting too much water...do you have any suggestions along these lines? It seems each herb is different in how much water or rain it needs. I'm just getting into herb gardening. Thanks!